Hey guys, again, I do not know where I'm going yet with this post. I just know that I need to write. You would think I would need to write about this weekend, but I am in fact not going to do that. The one thing that I'm going to say about this weekend is THANK YOU, to those of you that came to the funeral and visitation. We really know how loved we are by the cards, flowers etc. that we got during this difficult time. It's times like these that you really know who is there for you. I'm very thankful for those that made the time to come to the visitation and/or funeral. It was a great celebration of grandpa's life.
Now, the afterward. Those of you that have lost someone before know that the afterward (after all of the service craziness, etc.) is the hardest time. It's when you have to go on in life without the person that you've lost. It's when you really realize they're gone. It's when you lay down at night and think about all of the memories, even one to two weeks ago, and know that they're not here anymore. It's surreal, and it brings forth many emotions. Some deal with it by becoming snippy and grouchy (me), some stay quiet, etc., etc.
Today, is a Monday. Full blown, Monday. Everyone I've talked to has had a bad day so far. Mine, is pure exhaustion. From Tuesday when grandpa passed away, to today, things have been non-stop. I had a session Tuesday, three Wednesday, edited all day Thursday, visitation Friday, funeral Saturday and then a wedding to shoot that night, and then Sunday (which I normally have off) I had two sessions that I had rescheduled from Saturday. Then I have four sessions today. I've done three and have one left. Those of you that know me know that I get cranky over two things. Being tired and being hungry. Go ahead, giggle, it's true. And I'm exhausted. I know that everyone is tired. I'm not whining, I'm so incredibly thankful for my job and what I do along with having the ability to do it and having my clients be so sensitive and willing to be rescheduled if I needed them to. But even afterward, tomorrow I'm going to have to kick butt at getting my sessions edited. I will have nine sessions and two weddings to work on. To top off the "being a Monday thing", as I was waiting for my first session this morning I checked some messages I had. One lady told me that she was having trouble with the website, saying it expired on the 27th. What?? I called my mom to see if she could get in, and she said the same thing. Great, just what I needed. With my whole website down, clients could not look at proofs or new ones could not get to the pricing page. PLUS, I could not load new galleries. However, I did not get a renewal invoice so this made me angry. I put it aside and did my first session. Then, back to freak out mode. I was also annoyed that they do not have contact via phone. I wanted an answer. We submitted a "ticket" that said I'd get a response within 36 hours. Blahhhh. So I got on live chat where I could talk with other people having problems and one person would reply back from the company with what we should do. Well...right before the found the live chat, I decided to stop freaking out. There was nothing that worrying was going to do. I just took a deep breath and asked the Lord to take this and I knew that with His help it would get resolved.
On this chat that I started talking on, I saw other people with the same frustrations as me freaking out on this poor admin lady. Yes, we're all annoyed and trying to get help, but these other people were MEAN. I was angry, but decided to politely ask what I could do to help my problem. Going through a few steps and now it's mostly resolved but I have to tell you guys, my eyes were opened WIDE when I saw what people were saying. Hateful, rude comments. I have to ask, as all companies make mistakes and have mishaps, is being MEAN going to help anything?? I guess this is where I want everyone to think for a minute. Have you ever been in this situation? Trouble with a bill? Trouble with a cell phone? Trouble with getting something done that you'd like done quicker? Do you realize that it's probably a mistake that a person can help you with if you act like a normal human being? Most of you have jobs, do you like being yelled at by a customer? I'd hope not. Why, do we as normal people, feel the need to get mad and yell at a person who's most likely not in charge, but just in charge of customer service and trying their best to help you, along with the MULTIPLE other crazy people that they're trying to calm down at the same time? Even at a restaurant if your food is wrong, do we get ticked off? Or do we react as kind, loving people who understand that it was an honest mistake and kindly ask the waiter if the problem can be fixed? I can guarantee you that MOST of the time if we act kind and respectful of the situation, the person trying to help us will react the same way and fix our problem much quicker. This is really something that's been on my mind because I see it so often. Even more so now since I'm a business owner myself. I can't say that I'm always perfect at this either, but it's an area that God is working on me. God opens all of our eyes to different things that He's working on in our lives. He's refining us. I just want people to think a little bit about the person behind the customer service desk or the person behind the phone or computer that is trying to help you with your problem. They are a human being and you are not making them have a great day by yelling at them or being impatient. You have no idea what they're going through that day, and maybe you're that person. But YOU could be the person to turn their day around. You could be the one person all day to say "That's okay, thank you so much for trying to help me. I hope you're having a great day". Might make them smile at least and know that there's still a decent person in the world.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
I hope that didn't sound like a rude rant today. I really just want the world to open up their eyes and think before they speak a little bit. I have been trying to make a more conscious effort at it anyway. And although I'm grouchy and exhausted today, God has gotten me through it. He always does, He always provides the little bit of strength that I need. As I sit here with my window open and listening to the gentle rain pour down outside, I am comforted. I am comforted in know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance (James 1:3)
So, there you have it. My thoughts again for the day. God teaches us something new every day if we open our eyes and are ready to accept it. It might be the smallest thing, but it's something. You are here for a purpose and you are where you are at right now for a purpose. God has a purpose for us every day, even if it's just to make someone smile that day. We don't know the exact reason, but it's there. Let's all strive to be better people and let God refine us each day. Even if you're the customer service person, even how upset it might make you to hear all of the grouchy people, just respond with a smile. There's nothing more you can do to make an irate person happy sometimes.
I hope everyone has a better Tuesday. Wake up tomorrow and ask "What do you have for me today, God?"
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